Approximate territories occupied by different dynasties as well as modern political states throughout the history of China

Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in theNeolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest civilizations.[1] The written history of China can be found as early as the Shang Dynasty (c. 1700–1046 BC),[2] although ancient historical texts such as the Records of the Grand Historian (ca. 100 BC) and Bamboo Annals assert the existence of a Xia Dynasty before the Shang.[2][3] Much of Chinese culture, literature andphilosophy further developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1045–256 BC). The Zhou Dynasty began to bow to external and internal pressures in the 8th century BC, and the kingdom eventually broke apart into smaller states, beginning in the Spring and Autumn Period and reaching full expression in the Warring States period. This is one of multiple periods of failed statehood in Chinese history (the most recent of which was the Chinese Civil War). In between eras of multiple kingdoms and warlordism, Chinese dynasties have ruled all of China (minus Xinjiang and Tibet) (and, in some eras, including the present, they have controlled Xinjiang and/or Tibet as well). This practice began with the Qin Dynasty: in 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang united the various warring kingdoms and created the first Chinese empire. Successive dynasties in Chinese history developed bureaucratic systems that enabled the Emperor of China to directly control vast territories. The conventional view of Chinese history is that of alternating periods of political unity and disunity, with China occasionally being dominated by steppe peoples, most of whom were in turn assimilated into the Han Chinese population. Cultural and political influences from many parts of Asia, carried by successive waves of immigration, expansion, and cultural assimilation, are part of the modern culture of China.

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Prehistory
Paleolithic
See also: List of Paleolithic sites in ChinaWhat is now China was inhabited by Homo erectus more than a million years ago.[4] Recent study shows that the stone tools found at Xiaochangliang site aremagnetostratigraphically dated to 1.36 million years ago.[5] The archaeological site of Xihoudu in Shanxi Province is the earliest recorded use of fire by Homo erectus, which is dated 1.27 million years ago.[4] The excavations at Yuanmou and later Lantian show early habitation. Perhaps the most famous specimen of Homo erectus found in China is the so-called Peking Man discovered in 1923-27.

Neolithic
See also: List of Neolithic cultures of ChinaThe Neolithic age in China can be traced back to between 12,000 and 10,000 BC.[6] Early evidence for proto-Chinese millet agriculture is radiocarbon-dated to about 7000 BC.[7] ThePeiligang culture of Xinzheng county, Henan was excavated in 1977.[8] With agriculture came increased population, the ability to store and redistribute crops, and the potential to support specialist craftsmen and administrators.[9] In late Neolithic times, the Yellow River valley began to establish itself as a cultural center, where the first villages were founded; the most archaeologically significant of those was found at Banpo, Xi'an.[10] The Yellow River was so named because of loess forming its banks gave a yellowish tint to the water.[11] The early history of China is made obscure by the lack of written documents from this period, coupled with the existence of accounts written during later time periods that attempted to describe events that had occurred several centuries previously. In a sense, the problem stems from centuries of introspection on the part of the Chinese people, which has...

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...settlers came to China, the Chinese have been an extraordinary civilization, from its philosophies to technologies. It has been ruled by Emperors who have tried to unite China. Those who were successful were usually blessed with a Dynasty which lasted for a while. The Chinese have prospered and suffered. The ancient history of China reflects the beauty of Chinese ancient culture and morality. With more than 5000 years ofhistory, China has a wonderful culture and splendid civilization. (History of China)
China’s history is told in traditional historical records that take us back to the three sovereigns and five emperors about 5,000 years ago, enhanced by archaeological records dating to the 16th century BC. China is known as one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations.
From the oldest resident in China and the oldest dynasty, Xia dynasty, there have been millions of well-known people who made great contributions to the harmony, unity and growth of Chinese civilization. They contain emperors such as, Hanwudi (Emperor of Han dynasty) and Li Shimin (Emperor of Tang Dynasty), famous scholars such as Confucius (Great Educator/Guru in Spring and Autumn period), and great scientists like Zhu Chongzhi and Zhangheng. It is their great contributions and efforts that made China appealing and pleasant today....

...China is one of the world’s four ancient civilizations with a time-honored, recorded history. The history of China reaches back over 5,000 years. China covers an area of 9.6 million square kilometers and its continental coastline is 18,000 kilometers. Its population is over 1.3 billion people. China has created a culture rich in art and philosophy. China is the home of the inventions of amazing products and technologies such as silk, papermaking, movable-type printing, gunpowder, and calligraphy. Over the eras, China has fought hundreds of wars. It has conquered its neighboring countries, and it has also been conquered by them in return. Because of its 5,000 year recorded history, China can trace her culture back to a blend of small original tribes which have expanded till they became the great country we have today.
The first non-mythical dynasty to rule China was the Xia Dynasty in the 21st century B.C. (2200-1700 B.C.), founded by Emperor Yu. This dynasty marked a change from a primitive society to a slave society. The Xia Dynasty was succeeded by the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.). The Shang Dynasty is the first civilization in China for which there is a written record. The Shang Dynasty is characterized by its writing system, agriculture and bronze technology, and urban development.
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The author mainly diagnosed China from six different dimensions: historical, population, international, resource, social, and political. As the author demonstrated in the opening of his book, the developing path that China took was not a smooth one, and modern Chinese history is filled with unintended changes and outcomes. Even in China today, debates exist on whether Mao Zedong’s victory in the Chinese civil war was beneficial to the country in general, or even another step further, how China’s role in the world has evolved from the ancient giant.
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Religions In China
Christianity
Active in asia for centuries
Philippines almost entirely christian
Very influential with millions of followers
Korea most influenced
Pacific islands largely committed to christian tradition
Shito
Emerged in earliest period of Japanese history
Originally animalistic religion that gave human form to various gods that rule the forces of nature
Similar traditions in southeast asia and african groups
puts emphasis on “awe”
sun goddess, Amaterasu, sent her decedents to further create the japanese islands
loosely organized
stayed dormant for centuries
revival in 19th century
Islam
Large communities found in south asia and western china
emerged in the 7th century
most theology shared with judaism and christianity
the holy text is the Qur’an. It has 114 chapters
Confucianism
Mose social philosophy than religion
founder not interested in “supernatural” stuff
developed a new theory of nobility based on “merit” rather than birth
Merit = single-mined commitment to “nurturing” a “truly noble” heart.
emphasis on education to elevate the human soul
later more emphasis on virtue from the study of various writings known as the 5 classics
China was influenced heavily by this movement
Buddhism
One of the strongest religions throughout east and southeast asia
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